North to the Orient - Erik Lindbergh

Recently announced on Erik Lindbergh's Powering Imagination web site is his plan to fly the Orient again like his famous Grandparents, Charles and Anne Lindbergh.

The Lindbergh's Lockheed Sirius

 
The news brief below was taken from the Powering Imagination web site...

North to the Orient
In 1931 Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh took off for a groundbreaking flight from the US to China, via Canada, Siberia, and Japan. This flight showed the world the potential for aviation to bring the world together. This journey was immortalized in Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book: “North to the Orient” and was also captured in the photos from this 30,000 mile journey that were immortalized in an extensive photo essay in National Geographic Magazine.
In 2016 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of his grandparents’ flight, Erik Lindbergh plans to retrace this journey in a plane powered by biofuels. This adventure will show the possibilities that new sustainable power technologies create, and it will allow Powering Imagination to directly bring its message to Canada, Siberia, Japan, and China. While this flight is a tribute to the original, Erik plans to continue beyond the terminus of the original journey to connect with more people in new locations.
In conjunction with the journey, a feature documentary on this flight will also be filmed for global distribution. The documentary will cover the adventure, the message of sustainability, and the cultural connections between the people along Erik’s flight path. Planning for the 2016 departure starts in 2014!

Should be an exciting trip to bring aviation and new technology back to mainstream news!

Links - Powering Imagination - Lockheed Sirius

New Home for Cessna Airmaster

Preparing for departure

Cessna Airmaster NC25485 now has a new home in Deer Park, Washington with Chad Vanderhoof.  Kelly Mahon did the honors to fly the ship to its new home.  NC25485 was purchased from the Russell Williams collection and flown across Washington State yesterday.  Congrats to Chad for reviving and flying this rare ship. Hope you see many happy hours ahead flying the 165hp antique!

Time warp!

New owner Chad (on left) with vintage airplane pilot Kelly (on right)

Kelly enjoying a 1930's view of the mountains

Already attracting a crowd at its new home

World War One Aircraft - The Vintage Aviator

Old Rhinebeck's Nieuport

Just within the last couple of years I have taken greater interest in the aircraft of World War One - The Great War.  A visit to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome was one spark that lit the fire.  If you have not visited Old Rhinebeck it is a MUST SEE for any aviation enthusiast!  Another spark was my wife giving me the book Ghosts of the Great War by Phillip Makanna.  It is a spectacular photographic book on the subject.

In recent years the aircraft rolling out of the shop at The Vintage Aviator in New Zealand will keep Great War aircraft flying for years to come.  They build and rebuild aircraft for their own collection and for other museums/collectors all over the world.  Hats off to Peter Jackson (famous director of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit) for spending his money through The Vintage Aviator to rebuild and build those airplanes. They even building some of the engines from scratch!  Visit their awesome web site for an in depth look at their aircraft projects.

My uncle sent me an email this week with a link to an airshow put on by The Vintage Aviator.  The photographs are high quality and put you right in the action amongst these rare ships.  Take a look at these amazing aircraft on display.  Follow the link below.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1385149639/Photos+from+The+Vintage+Aviator+Ltd%27s+Remembrance+Day+airshow

To further research World War One aircraft we recommend the WW1 Aero journal - http://ww1aeroinc.org/

Links - Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome - Ghosts of the Great War - The Vintage Aviator

New Year - New Aircraft Restorations for 2014

Happy New Year to all vintage aircraft enthusiasts!  2013 was very memorable for me with the birth of our son, Brennen.  I can't hardly wait to take him on more outings to see vintage airplanes in the coming year!  Also a sad memory from this year being that I sold my Cessna 170.  It has an appreciative new owner taking good care of it so that makes me happy. This was a good year seeing more vintage aircraft return to the skies.  Be sure to look back over this blog for some of the highlights and see the links below for some of those.  Also we listed some to watch in 2014.

Great to see this Jenny return to the air in 2013... as we have been watching the restoration on the blog.
http://curtissjennyrestoration.blogspot.com/

Progressing well during 2013 is the restoration of the XP-82.  Keep a watch on this one!
http://xp-82twinmustangproject.blogspot.com/

One to watch is the restoration of the P-61 up in Pennsylvania at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum.
http://www.maam.org/p61/p61_rest_latest.htm

Also watch the progress on the Helldiver and Dauntless in California.
http://vulturesrowaviation.com/currentprojects.html

Another Mosquito should take to the skies soon in Canada.
 http://vicair.net/projects/mosquito

So many rare airplanes to keep a watch out for!

As always check this blog but also watch...

AntiqueAirfield.com

RareAircraft.com

Aerocraftsman.com

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014 with plenty of Blue Skies!

Lockheed Vega Flying Again

Very fitting to hear that this Lockheed Vega 5C returned to flight after restoration on the 110th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight!  December 17th.  This unique Vega is a 5C model that was called a "Detroit Vega" as it was built by the Detroit Aircraft Company featuring a metal fuselage but retaining the Lockheed's originally designed wood wings.  Watch the video below.

A few more details are featured over on the Flying Magazine web site... follow the link below...

http://www.flyingmag.com/pilots-places/pilots-adventures-more/video-vintage-lockheed-vega-flies-again

Happy 110th Anniversary of Flight!

Ford TriMotor - Two TriMotors For Sale

It is a cold and icy day here in North Texas.  So that has me looking over aircraft for sale around the country.  The internet sure makes dream airplane shopping fun.  All your dream airplanes right on your screen!

Two of the coolest listings I found are on www.courtesyaircraft.com and if I were to buy a time machine back to the 1920s I would snag one of the Ford TriMotors!

N9610 and N9645 are Ford Trimotor's that have been restored to flyable condition. N9610 is base in Minnesota with the Golden Wings Flying Museum.  N9645 is base in Oregon with the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.  Both look outstanding!

Below are my photos of N9645 when I visited the Evergreen collection back in 2007.

Which one should I pick?  Maybe I should just snag them both!

Cessna 170B Donated to California Museum

From the desk of my friend, Mike Harbour, comes this article about a Cessna 170B being donated to the Pacific Coast Air Museum.  What an amazingly preserved 170B!  Check out the clean instrument panel.  Wouldn't we all dream of finding such and airplane!?

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20131129/articles/131129456

Sky Siren Travel Air Flies

I posted on this blog back in March that a cool looking, art deco Travel Air was nearing the end of it's restoration.  Well... it looks like Aerocraftsman finished up all the last little details and made the first flight!  Below is the video of this beautiful Travel Air gracing the skies.  As I stated before... this is one cool art deco paint scheme!


Links - Previous Sky Siren blog post - Aerocraftsman

Great Lakes Biplane For Sale

When a unique airplane comes up for sale and deserves a good home... I just have to spread the word... Dan

Exceptional 1977 Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 offered for sale.  The Great Lakes is a wonderful biplane and is a very capable entry into moderate level aerobatics, that is also fun to fly low and slow with the wind on your face.  It will do everything a Stearman does, but fits in a t-hangar and only burns 10gph.  It can easily be rolled in and out of the hangar with one person.

This offering is N3823F, serial number 791, aircraft total time approx. 2050hr, annual Inspection May 2013, Engine-Lyc. AEIO-360-B1G6, approx. 40hrs SMOH by Buldoc 2009, Prop-Hartzell HC-C2YK-4F, Overhauled by Maxwell 2009, Factory new in 2000.

Completely disassembled and restored in 2009-2010. Reassembled with all new hardware. Fuselage completely stripped, inspected, and refinished. Wings completely disassembled, inspected, replaced one wood spar (small end crack).  All fabric replaced with Ceconite.  All new wiring including new electrical panel with new circuit breakers.  All new instrument panels fabricated and finished with all instruments restored or replaced.  New avionics including Garmin 250XL nav/com, Garmin GTX327 transponder, PS intercom. New Cleveland brakes.  All hoses and fuel lines replaced.  New seat belts and shoulder harness with parachutes included.

(Edit - March 2014... this Great Lakes has found a new home.)

Lindbergh Monocoupe

In 1934 the Lindberghs purchased a Moncoupe D-145.  The registration number was unique as it was the same as Linderghs "Spirit of St. Louis" - NR-211.  At the time he was a PanAm consultant and traveled all over the country.  In September of 1934 the Lindberghs flew the Monocoupe coast-to-coast.  They kept the airplane until it was donated to the Missouri Historical Society in 1940.  Recently NR-211 was re-hung in the Lambert International Airport in St. Louis after a refurbishment.  Take a few minutes to watch this video of the Monocoupe being hoisted into position.



Re-hang of the Lindbergh Monocoupe at Lambert International Airport from Missouri History Museum on Vimeo.

Aviation Collectibles - Greatest Generation Aircraft Auction - Fall 2013

The Greatest Generation was on the ramp at Meacham Field selling rides in their C-47 "Southern Cross" during the AOPA Summit AirportFest.  Visibility at the AirportFest ramp provided interest to the organization and their mission.

Like many operators who maintain and fly vintage aircraft The Greatest Generation Aircraft has found some creative ways to raise funds.  As a follow on to their first fund raising auction earlier this year a second auction was held last weekend during a very busy week of aviation events in Fort Worth. (Link to my blog post covering the first auction.) The funds from the auction are rolled back into aircraft ride operations and aircraft restoration projects. An auction of aviation memorabilia and aircraft parts attracted my attention again so I signed up to bid on a few items that might fill a spot in my office!

Porterfield - did not attract a buyer

Helmets sold quickly

Culver Cadet stands guard over the auction selection

Drop tank submarine replica

 As the sun began to set on the Vintage Flying Museum hangar the auction items were lit up the bright rays shining through the hangar doors.  Rows of propellers, shiny metal cowling pieces, worn aircraft instruments, Russian pilot helmets, even two complete aircraft along with other one of a kind art pieces made from aircraft parts would draw a crowd of about 50 people into the hangar for bidding.  Over 200 items took about three hours to auction.  Only a few pieces did not sell so it would the auction was a success.  I only walked out with one item (a manual gear extension handle from a vintage aircraft) but I am happy with the entertainment the auction provided.

On Mark B-26K restoration project

The auction had a great back drop!

DC-3 rudder

Hats off to Jim Terry, Dana Wood and the crew at Greatest Generation Aircraft for the enjoyable evening.  Hopefully the funds raised will keep their birds flying another season.

Links - Greatest Generation Aircraft - Vintage Flying Museum